Conveyer



Feb. 3.fl925. Y 1,525,363

c. M. BoYcE CONVEYER Filed June 19, 1920 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb, 3. 1925.

C. M. BOYCE CONVEYER Filed June 19, 1920 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb.A 3.1925. 1,525,363

C. M. BOYCE GONVEYER Filed June 19, 1920 14 sheets-sheet 5 Feb, 3. 1925.1,525,363

C. M. BOYCE CONVEYER Filed June 19, 1920 14 Sheets-Sheet 4.

llii1l Feb. 3, l 925.

. C. M. BOYCE 14 Sheet5 sheet 6 Filed June 19J 1920 4//6 grafa/f.

NNN/NA.

Feb, 3. 1925.

C. M. BOYCE GONVEYER 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 19, 1920 M M M w N NFeb. 3. l 925.

C. M. BOYCE CONVEYER 14 sheets-sheet a Filed June 19, 1920 @fai Feb, 3.1925. 1,525,363

c. M. BoYcE CONVEYER Filed June 19, 1920 14 sheets-sheet s Feb, 3, 1925.1,525,363

c. M. BoYcE Y CONVEYER Filed June 15, 1920 14 sheets-sheet 1o 7:5 .Zi /lf- Feb. 3. 1925. 1,525,363

c. M. BoYcE CONVEYER Filed Jun@ 19, 1920 14 Sheets-Sheet 1l Feb, 3,1925. 1,525,363

c. M. BoYcE CONVEYER Filed June 19. 1920 14 Sheets-sheet 12 Feb. 3.1925.

C. M. BOYCE CONVEYER 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 A /h-l-,Hu v/r o A O /M /r H l.E M/k M M l wf, w 1% y. /A 6 L @J m l Il 4 C. M. BOYCE Feb. s. 1925.

I coNvEYER Filed June 19, 1920 14 sheets-sheet 14 Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES M. BOYCE, OF HAZEL CREST, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS J. BOYCE,

RECEIVER FOR THE BOYCE CHEMICAL LABORATORIES, INC., OF HARVEY, ILLI-NOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CONVEYER.

Application led .Tune 19, 1920. Serial No. 399,202.

15 tages derived from this invention will bev revealed hereinafter 1nthe specification and claims, and in the accompanying drawings in whichis illustrated an exemplification of the invention in the mannerfollowing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the machine in itsentirety;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a 'plan view, enlarged, of the front or receiving end of themachine, the 25 cover and hood being removed to exhibit the interiorparts;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the front or receiving end of the machinepartly broken away to exhibit certain interior parts;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the rear or delivery end of the machine;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the sprocket shaftsat the top of the machine;

Fig. 7 is an end View thereof showing the worm drive for the sprocketshaft;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail View in section showing 40 a pair of idler sprocketswithin one of the compartments of the machine;

Fig. 10 is a sectional View taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the 45 film wiper, and Fig. 12 isa sectional view thereof taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a detail' in perspective of a few of the links composing thechain which operates as a conveyer for the films;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View taken transversely of the machine at itsrear lower end, showing the device used to keep the conveyer taut;

Fig. 15 shows the same device, bein a sectional view taken at rightangles to t at of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 16--16 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 14, but exhibiting a modifiedconstruction;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged View in elevation looking toward the rear end ofthe Inachine;

Fig. 19 is a detail in section taken on line 19-19 of Fi 18;

Figs. 2O and l are horizontal sections taken, respectively, on lines20-20 and 21,-21 of Fig. 18;

Figs. 22 and 23 are perspective views of front and rear film carriersrespectively, exhibiting one form of construction;

Fig. 24 shows in elevation a rear carrier, such as appears also in Fig.18, exhibiting Ellie construction of attaching means for the Fig. 25shows a transverse section taken on line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 shows in perspective the clip that is applied to the filmcarrier of Fig. 24;

Figs. 27 and 28 illustrate in elevation and longitudinal section,respectively, another form of film carrier, and Fig. 29 is a transversesection therethrough;

Figs. 30 and 31 are plan and side elevations, respectively, of stillfurther modifications of the film carrier;

Figs. 32 and 33 represent, respectively, an elevation and longitudinalsection of another form of film carrier;

Figs. 34 and 35 also show in plan and elevation, respectively, anothermodified construction of film carrier;

Fig. 36 is a side elevation of a mechanically operated means forcontrolling the switch of the motor which drives the conveyer, Fig. 37being a sectional view thereof taken on line 37-37 of Fig. 36;

Fig. 38 is a detail, partly in section and partly in elevation,representing a modification of the drying system elsewhere shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 39 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 38;

Fig. 40 is a detail in section taken on line 40-40 of Fig. 38;

Fig. 41 represents a detail in elevation looking toward the rear end ofthe machine and exhibiting a modified construction of take-offmechanism;

Fig. 42 is a sectional view taken on line 42-42 of Fig. 41;

Fig. 43 is a perspective view of one of the chalin spreading devicesshown in Fig. 41; an

Fig. 44 is a perspective of the carrier guide used with the constructionof Fig.' 41.

The arrangement of the various mechanisms comprised in this invention,and their relation to each other and to the entire machine, may best beunderstood by referring to them individually, then collectively, andaccordingly the description to follow will take up in order (1) thegeneral assembly; (2) the conveying mechanism; (3) the water circulatingsystem; (4) the drying apparatus; (5) the film carriers; (6) thereceiving hood; (7) the take-off mechanism; and (8) certain observationswith reference to the apparatus in its entirety.

General assembly.

As shown most comprehensively in Fig. 1, the machine is in the eneralform of a cabinet that is relatively ong, high and narrow. The wall atits receiving end is designated as 50, at its delivery end is a wall 51,between the two ends are walls 52, and over the structure thus formedlis a top or cover 53 having sides 54 which extend down a short distanceto rest upon the top edges of the end and side walls of the cabinet.Arranged slightly above the base line of the cabinet is a bottom,designated as 55, the sides and ends being suitably extended below thebottom to provide therebelow a space for the accommodation of certainparts.

Extending transversely between the side walls of the cabinet are aseries of parallel partitions 56 providing a plurality of verticalcompartments, some of which are designed to hold liquid and areappropriately lined or surfaced for this purpose. The preciseconstruction of the cabinet and its partitions, as well as the characterof the lining or surfacing for the compartments is of relativeunimportance to this invention and accordingly will not be furtherdescribed.

The compartment adjacent the receiving endl of the cabinet, designatedas A, is intended to receive a developing solution; the next compartmentB is for water; the next compartment C holds a fixing solution; and thenext two compartments, D and E, respectively, also contain water. Threeadditional compartments F, G, and H, are situated at the rearward end ofthe cabinet, each being subdivided by a vertically eX- tending partition57 which extends downwardly from the cabinet top well toward its bottom.By this construction, each compartment, F, G, and H, is provided withtwo passages connecting only at the bottom, the adjacent compartments,however, maintaining communication at their upper ends, so that theentire series of passages in these duplex compartments present a zigzagcourse. The films to be treated are required to travel down and upthrough the liquid body contained in each of the first five compartmentsand thereafter through a zigzag course defined b the duplexl passages ofeach of the last tiiiree compartments. Additionally the cover isprovided with a number of short transverse partitions 58, in the natureof bafiies, one disposed intermediately of Ieach pair of compartmentpartitions 56, the lower end of each upper partition terminating atabout the plane of the upper end of the lower partitions. The partitions58 in combination with the adjacent parts act to prevent light fromtraveling or being refiected longitudinally of the cabinet, and arerovided for this purpose so as to protect tie films undergoingtreatment.

The conveying mechanism.

As a means of advancing the films through the machine, I have shown 1nFig.

1 and elsewhere a conveyer which may takel the formfof a pair of endlesschains, designated as ai, which are arranged to traverse each of thevarious compartments that have been described. These. chains are mountedto travel over suitable sprocket wheels by which means they are keptapart a uniform distance while traveling together. The mounting of thesprocket wheels is clearly illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 where I haveshown a base plate 60 adapted for positioning on the top of one of thepartitions 56 within the machine, each end of the base being upturned toprovide a bearing wall 61 in which is carried one end of a rotatableshaft 62 equipped with a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 63, each fast onthe shaft, a roll G4 being arranged between the two sprockets..Extending laterally from one end of the base plate is a bracket formedto provide a bearing 65 for a drive shaft 66 that extends longitudinallyof the machine, and on this shaft are a plurality of worms 67, one foreach sprocket shaft 62 which is equipped with a gear (S8 in operativerelation to the worin. As appears best in Figs. 1 and 3, a series ofsprocket shafts 62 are provided, one mounted upon each verticalpartition 56, there being a like number of worms 67 on the drive shaft66, so that all the sprocket shafts are driven in unison.

Within each compartment, in its lower portion, as shown in Fig. 1, Ihave also provided a pair of sprocket wheels 69, the

details of construction being best shown in Figs. 9 and 10. These lowersprockets which are idlers may each be mounted adjacent a side wall ofthe machine upon a stub axle 70, as shown. These idler lsprockets arearranged opposite each other in pairs, and engage the chains in each ofthe various compartments so as to direct their travel adjacent thepartitions 56 and always at a uniform distance apart. The height atwhich these idler sprockets are mounted within the various compartmentsmay be determined by what is found desirable. In compartment B, forinstance, where the film is passed through a bath of water, the idlersprockets are relatively high so as to shorten the course of traveltherein, as it is not necessary tovwash the films for any great lengthof time after being immersed in the developing solution.

The two chains enter the machine at its receiving end through an opening7l at the end of the cover, and pass over and around every upper pair ofsprockets, and b elow and around every lower pair of idler sprockets;thereafter vthey pass .out of the machine at its .delivery end where anexit opening is provided in the cover.- Descending upon the outer sideof the machine at this end, the chains are passed around idler sprockets72 and thence below the bottom to the receiving end where they passaround other idlers 73 preliminary to an upward turn to the firstdriving sprockets. The rear idler sprockets 72 are specially' formed, aswill appear best by reference to Figs. 1l to 17 inclusive, wherein eachis shown to be mounted upon an axle 74 whose ends are preferably squaredto be received slidingly within a pair of guideways wherein the sprocketis permitted to move up or down. Upon a yoke 76 suspended from the axlea weight 77 is carried so as to draw the sprocket downwardly, and therebtake up any'slack that may exist in the c ain associated therewith. Eachof the sprockets 72 is formed alike, but is mounted to act indeendentlyof the other. The construction Just described is illustrated in Figs. 14to 16 inclusive, but may be modified, if desired,

by the substitution of a spring 78, as shown in Fig. 17, the other partsremaining the same. In either case, the means described operate tomaintain the chains relatively taut throughout their entire length.

At this point it will be useful to refer to Fig. 13 which is a close-upin perspective of five links of the chain. As shown, certain of theselinks which are individually designated as g/ are each provided with anupstanding lug 79 having near its outer end a hole 80, the purpose ofwhich will hereinafter appear. The lugs are by preference arranged inalternation first upon one side of the chain, and then on the other, amore comprehensive view of the chain so formed being afforded in Fig.18, wherein it will appear that the inside lugs are arranged in pairs asare also the outside lugs. Be-

tween each pair of links y, I prefer to employ a plain link z whichco-operates in a special manner with each of the idler sprockets 69. Asshown in Fig. 10, each of these idlers is provided with teeth spacedapart a distance of two chain links, a shoulder S1 being formedrelatively close to the outer end of each tooth. In passinor aroundthese sprockets, the teeth enter the plain links z, but onlyr slightly,as the shoulders 81 hold away from the body of the sprocket these links2, as well as the intermediate links 1/ with their lugs 79.. i

The drive shaft 66, as already stated, extends longitudinally of themachine and carries a pulley 82 (see Fig. 5) over which runs a belt 83which transmits power from a pulley 84 that is carried on the shaft of amotor 85 which may conveniently be mounted on the cover of the machine.The character of the worm and gear transmission that I have described issuch as to im art very slow rotary movements to each o the sprocketshafts 62', the effect bein to move the two chains very slowly throu themachine, the speed of which is determined more or less in accordancewith the time required for the develo ing, washing, fixing, andsubsequent dr mg ofthe films to be treated. If desire a time switch 86may be employed to assure operation of the motor for a limited timeonly, such as might be necessary for the travel of a film through themachine but no further.

The 'water orculaz'on system.

It is desirable that the water used in the compartments B, D, and Eshould be replenished either constantly or periodically, and also thatmeans be provided for using this same water as a cooling medium tomaintain the developing solution at a relativel low temperature such asis required in t 1e treatment of photographic films. Vith these'ends inview I have arranged a system for the supply and distribution of waterwhich is best illustrated in Fig. 1, and which com )rises parts asfollows:

lVater is delivered from any suitable source to the inlet end 90 of a pieline 91 which passes through the space elow the bottom 55 to therearward end of the cabinet and thence upwardly to a tank 92 which maybe conveniently positioned upon the cover ofthe machine. A shut-offvalve 93 is arranged near the inlet end of the pipe, the purpose ofwhich is, if desired, to shunt the water through ahy-pass that willpresently be described. Leadin from the tank 92 is a pipe 94 which discarges into the compartment E which maintains communication with theadjacent compartment D as by means of a connecting pipe 95 whichconnects with their respective bottoms, as shown.

lll() An overiow pipe 96 is .arranged to lead water from the upperportion of compartment D into the lower end of compartment B, from whoseupper end-a take-oil' pipe 97 leads to a drain pipe 98 through whichexcess of water may waste. Leading from the hottom'of compartment A tothe drain pipe is a connection 99 that is equipped with a valve 100, asshown, to control the escape `of developing solution. Likewise there isa connection controlled by a valve 101 that leads from the compartment Bto the waste pipe; a similar pipe connection 102 controlled by a valve103 leads from the compartment C to the waste pipe; and a connectioncontrolled by a valve 104 leads to the waste pipe from the pipe whichconnects with the bottoms of the two compartments D and E. By thisarrangement the liquid within all compartments A to E inclusive, may bedrained through the waste pipe whenever the controlling valves areopened for this purpose. When these valves are not open, however, thesupply of devclopin and fixing solutions remains unchange and water isrequired to circulate at a common level within the three compartments E,D, and B, from the latter of which excess is taken oft throughthe wastepipe as explained. f

Combined with the circulatlon system just described is a by-pass that isarranged as follows: Leading from the pipe line 91 adjacent its inlet 90is a pipe 105 equipped with a shut-ofi' valve 106, this pipe enteringthe bottom of compartment A adjacent the end wall 50 and proceedingupwardly therein av desired distance and then downwardly againto form acoil which also extends across the bottom of the compartment and over tothe partition 56 on its opposite side where it again proceeds upwardlyand then downwardly to form another coil, the pipe thereafter emergingfrom the bottom of this compartment to connect as at 107 with the pipeline 91. Then the valve 93 is shut off, and the valve 106 is opened, thewater isrequired to circulate through the coil to lend its temperatureinfluence to the developing solution within the compartment A;thereafter it enters the pipe line 91 to travel into the tank 92 in themanner already explained. It may be desirable to The drying apparatus.

The films which are first subjected to a proper chemical treatment arethereafter dried in the machine during their travel through thecompartments F, G, and vH,

each of which contains two passages. Within these three compartmentsthere is maintained a circulation of dehumidified air such as tothoroughly dry the films preliminary to their delivery from the machine.

In the accomplishment of drying the films, I utilize the tank 92 intowhich air is received through an o ening 110 and from which it iseducted y an exhaust fan or blower 111, and thereafter conducted throughan exhaust pipe 112 for delivery into the rearmost passage of thecompart ment H. Interiorly Aof the tank the discharge end of the pipe 91is fitted with a nozz e or sprayer 113 which delivers the water in afinely divided condition upon a foraminous baiile plate 114, preferablyof screen material, and it is through this same screen, but in thereverse direction, that the air entering the opening 110 is drawn underthe action of the fan 111. As a result of this construction withinthetank and of the action ot' the water upon the air, the latter iswashed, cooled, and dehumidified prior to entering the dryingcompartments, so as to be properly conditioned to act upon the filmswhichl are passed through the machine. The air current proceedsdownwardly through the rearmost passage of the compartment lII andlupwardly again through its forward passage, and then enters thecompartment G at the top through which, as well as the compartment F, itfollows similar courses, its exit from the cabinet being through anopening 115 formed in the cover, as shown.

The drying apparatus just described may take other forms, however, oneof which is suggested in Figs. 38 to 40 inclusive. In this instance itis arranged independently of the water circulating system andaccordingly is unaffected thereby.

Referring now to Fig. 38, whichl illustrates the machine at its rearupper` end, it will be noted that use is made of a chamber 116 formed bythe use of appropriate walls, an inlet opening 117 for 'air beingprovided, as shown. In the path of the incoming air is arranged aplurality of heating coils 118 which raise the temperature of the air asit is taken into the machine for drying purposes. This chamber withinwhich air is heated communicates as at 119 with each of the compartmentsG and H, and the heated air is delivered thereinto with the aid of a fan120 which may be driven directly from a motor 121 mounted in place, asshown. The air circulation in this construction proceeds two ways, onecurrent passing out at the rear end of the machine with the chains andthe other proceeding forwardly to leave at the opening 115. In otherrespects, this drying system follows the construction shown in Fig. 1,in that the air is circulated l Iii) Cai throug'h the same passages, andperforms the saine action upon the films. In cases where it is desii'edthat the air should be heated in preference to being dehumidified, thearrangement of' Fig. 38 may be employed. It should be understood,however, that, if' desired, a combination of the constructions shown inFigs. 1 and 38 may be arranged so as to deliver into the machine air fordrying purposes which is both deliuiiiiditied and heated.

Inasinuch as the heating chamber shown in Fig. 38 is located where thedriving motor is shown in Fig. 1, I have, in the former figure,relocated the motor 85 so as to transmit. its power to the severalsprocket shafts as by means of abelt 122 which drives a pulley 123 thatis secured to a shaft 124 havingon one end thereof a lworm 125 which isin mesh with a gear 126 that is mounted on the drive shaft 66 allv asclearlyr indicated in Fig. 40. The construction just 4describedco-operates with thev same drive that is elsewhere shown for moving theconveyer through the machine.

In connection with lthe* apparatus vwhich efi'ects a drying of thefilms, certain mechanical means are employed to remove a considerableproportion of the lwater reeinerge from the bath in compartment E. Asbest illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, these means comprise by preferencea frame in the form of a U-shaped bar 127 arranged transversely of themachine with its ends secured to the side walls 52 near their upperends. Carried within the frame thus formed are a pair of brushes 128whose backs 129 are secured adjacent the ends of the frame so as topresent their brushing elements against the two chains. 'lhe object ofthis construction is to remove from the chains such liquid as may beeasily brushed ofi' so as to prevent the saine from being carried intothe drying compartments. Mounted on the frame is a wiper 130 which isextended over and partially around the roll 64 that is carried upon theadjacent sprocket sha-ft. This wiper, by preference, is in the form ofa.

sheet of chamois skin, and is arranged to b contact with every portionof the proximate side of' the films that pass through the machine. Underthe action of such a wiper a large proportion of the Amoisture which thefilm would otherwise carry from compartment E is removed so as tofacilitate the drying action which takes place in the remainingcompartments.

The film carrz'ers.

In connection with the conveyer which, in the form shown, comprises apair of endless chains provided at intervals with outstanding lugs, useis made of a series of carriers for the film, one for each end thereof.In Figs. 22 and 23 I have shown a pair of carriers, the former adoptedfor attachment to the front and the latter to the rear end of the.film.It should be understood that these terms front and rear7 are used solelywith reference to the film ends in the order in which they proceedthrough the machine.

The front carrier shown in Fig. 22 is in the forni of a spindle 131 withits two ends 132 reduced to form in effect pins which may enter theopenings 80 in the chain lugs 79. An annular groove 133 is provided neareach end, as shown. Formed within the spindle is a longitudinal slit 134through which the front end of a film f may be introduced (see Fig. 29),I have also arranged adjacent one side of this slit a wire 135 whoseends 136 are bent at right angles to pass through openings that areformed transversely of the spindle, thewire extremities 137 being turnedto hold the wire in place and to lie adjacent the chain so as topre-vent any extended turning of the-.spindle with consequent Winding ofthe film-thereon. The front end of the film may be looped' through thespindle slit and around the' wire 135, by

l vwhich arrangement atight fastening results, main-ing on the chainsand films as they l )eing more secure with increased tension of thefilm. The length of the carrier is designed with vreference to thedistance between the inside lugs 79 which project from the links of thechain, the spindle ends being adapted to lodge within the openings ofthe lugs so .as to hold the carrier securely between the chains duringtravel of the film through the machine.

Referring now to Fig. 23 which exhibits the rear carrier, it will benoted that it is formed in all respects like the front carrier, andaccordingly its corresponding parts are designated similarly. The rearspindle, however, is of slightly greater len th so as to be carriedbetween a pair o outside lugs 79 projected from the chains. In arrangingthe film in place between the front and rear carriers, the rear end ofthe film may be drawn around the wire 135 sufliciently to take up slackin the film, it eing understood, of course, that the rear carrier shouldbe positioned between a pair of lugs that are spaced from thosesupporting the front carrier a distance approximating the length of thefilm. In Fig. 1, I have shown a film f as attached in place between thefront and rear carriers and in the position of just starting on itstravel i through the machine.

The carriers shown in Figs. 22 and 23 may take other fo ms, however, assuggested in Figs. 24 to 35 inclusive. As there is no difference betweenthe constructions of the front and rear carriers, except as to len h,these figures which will now be descri ed may be regarded as exhibitingeither spindle of a pair of carriers. j

In Figs. 24,25 and 26'the construction includes a spindle 138 having itsends reduced or tapered as at 139 to enter within the apertured lugs ofthe chain, and is further provided with an annular groove 140 near eachend, as shown. The film end is attached in place by-being looped aroundthe spindle and then held thereon as by means of a spring clip 141, theform of which is best shown in Fig.- 26. In this construction, it isunnecessary to have any slit through the spindle, the film lyingentirely to the outside thereof.

Figs. 27 to 29 disclose the salue construction as that shown in Figs. 22and 23,but are presented to more clearly illustrate the manner offastening the film end thereto. In Fig. 29, for instance, the film endis shown as looped through the slit formed longitudinally through thespindle and around the wire which is adjacent one edge of the slit, themanner of .attachment beino' such that any increase in tension of theZhlm results in its being more firmly clamped in place.

Referring new to Figs. 30 and 31, use is made of a spindle 142 similarto that elsewhere shown, but provided with a Wire 143 that is hingedthereto at one end as at 144, the opposite end of the wire being turnedto f pass through the spindle and 'be locked Cil thereto as by means ofa screw 145. In applying the film end in place, it is looped around thespindle, the hinged wire is then pressed down over the film and thescrew is applied to the wire endv to draw it tightly upon the film in amanner that will be readily understood from the drawing. In thesefigures, as well as in certain of the others, the spindle ends 146 areshown to be tapered to fit within the lug opening 80, this being analternative construction.

Another form of carrier is suggested in Figs. 32 and 33, wherein thespindle 147 is formed with a longitudinal slit 148 adapted to receivethe end of the film. Upon one side of the spindle is secured a springarm 149 preferably fastened in place at one of its ends by a screw 150or other attaching medium which enters the spindle at a point remotefrom its center. The opposite end of the spring arm is provided with apin 151 adapted to enter within an opening 152 that is formedtransversely of the spindle in intersecting relation to the slit throughwhich the film is introduced. If desired, the spring arm may be locatedupon a flat or other recessed portion of the spindle, so as not toprotrude beyond its cylindrical surface. According to this construction,the film end is inserted through the slit while the spring arm is heldin retracted position such as is indicated by the dotted lines in 'Fig33, thereafter the spring arm is returned to its normal position, and ispressed in place to force the pin 151 through the film end so as to lockthe same in place.

In Figs. 34 and 35 the spindle 153 is provided with a clip 154 hinged asat 155 and adapted to overlie the end of the film when looped around thespindle, as shown. This construction is similar to that of Fig. 24, eX-cepting that the clip is hinged in place instead of being detachablefrom the spindle. The different carrier constructions just described aresuggestive of several that are suited to the requirements of thisinvention, it being noted that they possess the common characteristic ofreduced ends so as to enter the lugopenings 80of annular groovesadjacent the ends which serve a purpose presently to be explained. andof a means for readily attaching the film ends in place preliminary totravel through the machine.

The recezeng hood.

The operation of attaching the front and rear carriers to the chains maybe performed within a hood 156 which is arranged upon the front end 'ofthe machine, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. Beneath the hood is abracket 157 extended forwardly from the Wall 50 to carry a pair of idlersprockets 158 which project the two chains outwardly so as to requirethem to move through an angular course in passing around the receivingend of the machine, the upper portion of this course being backed by aboard 159, as shown. The hood may be provided on its top side with theusual red glass 160 permitting an inspection of the interior parts, andis also draped with an opaque cloth to keep the light from enteringtherein. There are also arranged in the side Walls of the hood openings161 normally closed against the entra-nce of light, but provided withsleeves 162 permitting the operator to pass his hands inside to adjustthe films in place. The front and rear carriers, as already explained,are carried respectively between a pair of inside and outside lugs 7 9,the chains being slightly spread apart by the operators hands at thetime the spindle ends are inserted in place. This spreading of thechains may take place only between the idlers 158 and the firstsprockets 68, and at the point of take off, so that the carriers areassured of' retention throughout their travel. It is to be observedtliat a number of films may be positioned upon the chains in the mannerdescribed, so that the machine will have capacity for handling a greatmany at a time. Also I would have it noted that the films are secured inplace ymvith their sensitized sides facing the operator so that inpassing around the various rollers 63, it is only the reverse or backside that is touched in any Way.

Below the hood but communicating therelil() lll)

